One of horse racing’s rarest outcomes took place Friday at Colonial Downs Racetrack when the day’s opening race ended in a “double dead heat” — a tie for first place and a tie for third.

While dead heats happen occasionally worldwide, a double dead heat is extraordinarily rare, especially since the advent of photo-finish technology. Since 1990, records show just 15 double dead heats for first and third in more than 2 million races run across North America.

“I’ve been in the racing business for more than 20 years and this was definitely a first for me,” said Frank Hopf, senior director of racing at Colonial Downs.

In Friday’s $70,000 maiden special, Magic Wallet, ridden by Victor Carrasco, and Sometime, ridden by Axel Concepcion, finished in 1:04.59 to share the win. Birdy Whisper, ridden by Johan Rosado, and Smols, ridden by Gavin Ashton, tied for third, finishing in 1:06.34. Birdy Whisper and Smols are stablemates, owned and trained by Carlos Munoz of CM Thoroughbreds.

The unusual finish created a complex payout for bettors, with two winners, two exacta results (picking first and second), four trifecta results (picking first, second and third) and four superfecta results (picking first through fourth).

Colonial Downs is preparing for its Festival of Racing on Aug. 9, which will be the biggest day of racing in Virginia history, featuring more than $2.5 million in prize money.

Tickets, including $5 general admission, are available at ColonialDowns.com). Racing continues Wednesday through Saturday until Sept. 13, with a special card on Labor Day.